It's a deal! Ollie signs on the line of his first professional contract

Leeds United have handed a professional contract to a 17-year-old midfielder who won the admiration of his peers last season.

- by Graham Smyth

Ollie Pickles has signed his first professional deal with the club after captaining the Under-21s earlier this week. The teenager made his Under-18s debut at 15 and scored his first goal for them at 16.

Six more followed as he went on to make 46 Under-18s appearances.

Last season he continued to feature for them and wore the captain's armband on occasion but made an Under 21s breakthrough and featured in eight Premier League 2 appearances. His Under-18s teammates voted him Players' Player of the Season for his efforts and he was also part of the Under-21s side that lifted the National League Cup. This season he has started all of their fixtures.

On Monday night Pickles wore the captain's armband as the Under-21s lost 3-2 at Crystal Palace in Premier League 2 action and a day later Leeds confirmed his new contract.